MOH slaps compound on BN for election machinery launch in KL

 

The Health Ministry last night slapped a compound of RM10,000 against Barisan Nasional after finding the political coalition held a programme in Kuala Lumpur to launch its election machinery for the Malacca state polls.

In a short statement on Facebook, MOH said the compound was issued by its Kepong Health Office to the BN executive secretary for violating the government's standard operating procedures for social events.

"The Kepong Health Office has issued a compound under Act 342 to BN this evening for violating SOP for Phase 4 of the National Recovery Plan on organising social events," the ministry said last night.

Act 342 refers to the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988, which gives MOH the power to take action against anyone who violates rules that are in place to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

Based on Malaysiakini’s observation at the event, it was attended by at least several hundred BN leaders and members.

The campaign period for the Malacca state election is to begin on Nov 8 until polling day on Nov 20. It was called after Malacca Governor Ali Rustam decided to dissolve the State Legislative Assembly last month under the advice of the then chief minister Sulaiman Md Ali, who was facing a political coup.

The compound that was issued to BN for the launch of its Malacca election machinery in Kuala Lumpur 

As the election is to be held during the Covid-19 pandemic, Health Ministry Khairy Jamaluddin had on Oct 24 issued a ban against any activities, gatherings and social events related to the state election between Oct 25 and Nov 27.

It is believed that BN was trying to circumvent the rule by changing the venue of its election machinery launching last night to the World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur.

Based on an invitation letter dated Oct 22 sighted by Malaysiakini, the event was initially scheduled to be held at the Malacca International Trade Centre in Ayer Keroh.

However, Khairy's announcement on the ban as well as the latest SOP gazetted by the National Security Council did not specify any limitation of the rule to any state or area. - Mkini